Bears notes.

Finally, Tight Ends Set To Do More Than Block Vs. Bucs

TAMPA — Keith Jennings and Chris Gedney had to enjoy watching films for Sunday's game in Tampa, because for once they could see the tight ends involved in the scoring.

Gedney caught two touchdown passes last year from Erik Kramer in a season-opening 21-9 victory over the Buccaneers in Chicago. In the 20-9 Bears victory in November, Jennings scored on a 1-yard pass from Steve Walsh.

Although Jennings accounted for a scoring pass in this year's season-opening victory over Minnesota, the tight ends so far have been used primarily to block. In the 27-24 loss to Green Bay on Monday, the tight ends didn't make a catch and didn't seem to be an option.

"A lot of it is dictated by how much we get the ball," Kramer said. "To spread the ball around, you need enough times to be able to run play-action and everything else. When you're playing catchup, it's harder to do."

"We're doing what's asked of us," Jennings said. "We're in the offense, we're blocking. Bottom line is Ben Coates caught 96 balls last year and I caught 10 and we both went as far in the playoffs."

Watch him: Speaking of tight ends, Tampa Bay coach Sam Wyche thinks his wide receivers have improved enough that it will loosen the pressure on tight end Jackie Harris. So watch for Wyche to use Harris as a passing threat Sunday.

"With our receivers there are a lot of teams going to play two-deep zone defense and the tight end then gets to be a secret weapon," said Wyche.

In the first two games this season, Harris accounted for a team-high 10 catches for 113 yards and one touchdown.

Airing it out: After being beaten on a 99-yard pass play Monday against Green Bay, Bears cornerback Donnell Woolford proudly modeled his all-Madden 1994 black leather jacket in the locker room.

"I'm tough because I came back in that game after that and made an interception," he said, toughness being the main attribute needed to be named a John Madden all-star.

Different ways: Former Bucs safety Marty Carter, in his first year as a Bear, spoke of the vast differences between Wyche and Bears coach Dave Wannstedt.

"Sam is more laid back with his preparation," he said. "He's a jokester. Dave is more to the point. He goes about it like an everyday job, the way you are supposed to at this level, whereas Sam will crack a joke to loosen up the team."

Joyful times: Defensive end John Thierry has been under the microscope ever since the Bears drafted him in the first round last year. He has been criticized for not developing faster, but the quiet Thierry isn't a burden to defensive line coach Clarence Brooks.

"He's an absolute joy to be around, at the risk of sounding corny," Brooks said. "He knows he's making a transition and it's been a little bit of a problem. But he's improving."

Ringing true: Errict Rhett heard all week that the Bucs should be able to run on the Bears' defensive line. He wonders where that is coming from, since Tampa Bay was held to 38 yards in a 20-6 loss to the Bears last year when Rhett gained 20 yards on 12 carries. In their other 1994 meeting, a 21-9 Bears victory, the Bucs rushed for 123 yards, but Rhett had to work hard to get his 49 on 11 chances.

"They said the same thing last year," he said about being able to run on the Bears, "and we were completely unable to run the ball. They stood us up. Most teams are going to play us like Cleveland . They're going to bring everybody because we have a young quarterback ."

Kneel down: Rhett had an interesting observation about Bears end Alonzo Spellman.

"He has very long arms," he said. "He could stand on his knees and knock down the ball."

Here's a comeback: Tampa Bay's Bobby Joe Edmonds, the team's punt and kick returner, is among the rarest of players in the NFL. He returned this season after sitting out the previous five years, in part because of alcoholism. The one-time Pro Bowler started drinking heavily when he was 13 years old.

Edmonds most recently sold real estate. The Bucs finally gave him a tryout in March, after he had attempted previous comebacks.

"Five years is a long time to stay mentally abreast of the game and in shape," Wyche said. "But he's done that. He's had to deal with the problem and he has. He earned a spot. This wasn't a sentimental pick."

Edmonds acknowledged that "the odds of this weren't very good at all. It is a fairy tale."

Ready or not: Wide receiver Alvin Harper wants to play and begin to earn some of his $10.6 million salary that got the free agent away from Dallas. But his Bucs debut has been delayed by a sprained ankle. He remains questionable to play Sunday.

He dressed for practice Thursday for the first time in two weeks, but only jogged on the sideline. "Today was not a real positive workout for him," Wyche said. "But he's not written off yet."

Harper is tired of being pestered by teammates. "Everybody around here has been talking a little trash to me," he said. "You know, I make all this money and I'm not playing."